Abstract: A method and apparatus for a simple pulse oximeter measurement of an area of the body with a small amount of blood vessels by using a counterirritant to profuse the blood and then apply a modern oximeter probe is disclosed. The counterirritant is either applied to the skin immediately before attaching the probe, or, preferably, is contained in an adhesive pad which couples the probe to the skin.

Abstract: A portable apparatus and method for monitoring heart muscle electrical activity includes a plurality of electrical contacts and a monitoring unit. The contacts receive the electrical signals generated by the heart muscle of a patient and transmit the signals to the monitoring unit. A reference axis is established for each signal by the monitoring unit. Predetermined portions of each signal are then used by the monitoring unit to identify the ST segment of the signal which is then compared to the reference axis. Whenever a series of ST segments exhibit an ST deviation from the reference axis which exceeds a predetermined threshold ST deviation, the monitoring unit records data relating thereto which is used for diagnosis of myocardial ischemia.

Abstract: An in-series ventricular assist system for assisting the circulation of blood in a patient is disclosed. A pumping bladder is disposed in the thoractic aorta of the patient and selected physiologic events relating to each heart beat are monitored by appropriate sensors. A gas handling subsystem inflates and deflates the pumping bladder in accordance with the detected physiologic events and a predetermined set of assist system parameters. A microprocessor evaluates the effects of inflation and deflation of the pumping bladder and the corresponding assistance on the patient for each heart beat. The microprocessor is operable to alter or adjust the assist system parameters for each subsequent heart beat in accordance with the effects of assistance of the pumping bladder on the patient.

Abstract: A catheter type laser illuminating apparatus for thermally removing an atheroma generated in a blood vessel. The illuminating apparatus comprises a catheter arranged to be inserted into a blood vessel, the catheter being equipped with an ultrasonic transducer for transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic wave to generate an electric signal corresponding to the reception ultrasonic wave. The catheter is further equipped with a laser transmission fiber for emitting the laser light. Also included in the illumination apparatus is a M-mode image producing section for producing an image representative of the dimension of the atheroma on the basis of the electric signal from the ultrasonic transducer. The image is displayed on a CRT in a corresponding relation to an illumination condition of the laser light to the atheroma which is at least one of an illumination time and an illumination power.

Abstract: A blood collector comprises a thin flexible tube, which adheres to a person's finger, and the finger is punctured through the tube. The outside surface of the tube is sealed after the puncture, and a quantity of blood from the finger is collected in the tube.

Abstract: Endocardial mapping and/or ablation system for introduction into a chamber of the heart formed by a wall by passage through a lumen leading to the chamber in the heart having blood therein comprising a catheter probe with proximal and distal extremities adn having an elongate tubular member with at least one lumen extending therethrough extending the length thereof and with a distal extremity. A plurality of longitudinally and radially spaced apart electrodes are provided. An expandable device is secured to the distal extemity of the flexible elongate tubular member and is movable between a contracted position and an expanded position. The electrodes are mounted on the expandable device whereby when the expandable device is moved to the expanded position in a chamber of the heart and electrodes are moved into engagement with the wall forming the chamber of the heart in which the expandable device is disposed.

Abstract: A transdermal drug delivery device includes an electrode, a porous insulating layer on one side of the electrode and impregnated with a liquid containing the drug to be delivered, a reservoir for the liquid on the other side of the electrode, and a displaceable diaphragm controlling the feeding of the liquid from the reservoir to the porous insulating layer via a passageway through the electrode.

Abstract: An electrode for electroretinography comprises a plastically deformable, self-supporting, filamentary electrically conductive member having first and second electrically insulated zones between which a portion of the member is exposed as an electrical contact.The member preferably forms an endless loop.

Abstract: An implantable endocardial lead with retractable sharpened helix. The piston has a central bore for receiving a specialized stylet. The stylet comprises a flexible wire having an enlarged distal end or tip. An elastomeric sliding sleeve fits over the wire. When the proximal end of the stylet is inserted into the bore in the piston, the wire can be withdrawn slightly, pulling the enlarged tip into the tube, and wedging the tube against the walls of the bore. By manipulating the stylet, the helix can be exposed outside of the lead, or retractable into the lead, as desired.

Abstract: A defibrillator electrode pad for conducting electricity between the body of a patient includes a flexible backing having an application surface upon which is mounted a metallic electrode. An adhesive is disposed upon the electrode and a portion of the application surface of the flexible backing. A gripping tab includes a first portion fixed to the flexible backing and a second portion integral with the first portion and projecting outward from the flexible backing. The second portion of the gripping tab includes a gripping surface made of a material selected to prevent the adhesive from sticking to the gripping surface. A paper release sheet is constructed to be applied to the application surface of the backing to prevent the adhesive from unintentionally sticking to objects. The paper release sheet includes a tab portion constructed to project outward from the flexible backing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the control of both central and obstructive sleep apnea using electrical stimulation on a demand basis. Implantable sensors monitor the respiration cycle and determine the occurrence of apnea events. Central apnea is sensed by the passage of an escape interval of time without the sensing of an inspiratory event and a concurrent decrease in blood oxygen saturation. Obstructive sleep apnea is sensed as an abnormal pressure differential across the airway. The diaphragm is electrically stimulated upon sensing of central apnea. The musculature of the upper airway is electrically stimulated upon sensing of an occurrence of obstructive sleep apnea. Stimulation of the upper airway is provided whenever central apnea is sensed.

Abstract: An apparatus for stimulating living tissue delivers a stimulating pulse with a predetermined stimulating pulse amplitude and a stimulating pulse duration. Each stimulating pulse is separated by a stimulating pulse time interval, which is controlled by a control device. Maintenance of the predetermined stimulating pulse amplitude is undertaken by continuous control of the stimulating pulse time interval by means of the control device, which increases the value of a predetermined minimum stimulating pulse time interval to a new value if the time period, from the time when the voltage across an output capacitor reaches the value of the stimulating pulse amplitude until the time when the stimulating pulse is delivered, is shorter than a safety time interval established by the control device.

Abstract: The invention is an ambulatory, passive sensor for use in a fetal monitoring system. The invention incorporates piezoelectric polymer film combined with a metallic mounting plate fastened to a belt and electrically connected to a signal processing unit by means of a shielded cable. The purpose of the sensor is to receive pressure pulses emitted from a fetus inside an expectant mother and to provide means for filtering out pressure pulses arising from other sources, such as the maternal heart.

Abstract: An absorbent collection strip has attached thereto a detection strip impregnated with a reagent to respectively form collection and detection regions of an integral pad. A dermal surface is wiped with the collection region to remove a contaminant of interest therefrom and collect it on the collection region, which is then wetted with a solvent which has a selective affinity for the contaminant. The solvent carries the contaminant or a reaction product thereof by capillary action through the collection region to the detection region where it reacts with the reagent to produce a color change which indicates the presence of the contaminant. The collection region may also be impregnated with a substance for either facilitating removal of the contaminant from the dermal surface or for cooperation with the reagent in producing the color reaction. The solvent may be either inert to the reagent or may cooperate with it in producing the color reaction.

Abstract: A biomedical electrode which generally comprises a conductor member partially overlapping a separator construction. The conductor member is preferably a thin flat, flexible member having a pad portion and a tab portion. The tab portion overlaps the separator construction in a manner which centrally positions mechanical and electrical contact of electrode with an electrical lead to electrical instrumentation. Beneath pad portion and all or a substantial portion of separator construction is a conductive adhesive to provide good electrical interface between skin of a subject and the electrical instrumentation. Methods of manufacturing biomedical electrodes from strips of components are also disclosed.

Abstract: A pulse wave detecting apparatus for detecting a pulse wave produced from an arterial vessel in a body portion of a subject, including a semiconductor substrate having a press surface at which the semiconductor substrate is adapted to be pressed against the body portion, the semiconductor substrate having a recess in a surface thereof opposite to the press surface and thereby including a diaphragm portion having a thin wall, and a pressure sensing device provided on the diaphragm portion, for converting a pressure transmitted from the arterial vessel to the diaphragm portion, into an electric signal.

Abstract: A device for continuously measuring the skin local sweating rate includes a capsule used for applying on a human skin at a measuring point and an air supply element for supplying dehumidified air to the capsule. A first chamber is formed between the capsule and the skin for receiving water vapor perspired from the skin and the dehumidified air supplied from the air supply element to produce the mixture of perspiration oriented water vapor through the skin and the dehumidified air. A second chamber is also formed within the capsule and connected with the first chamber through a communicating hole. The device further includes a humidity detecting element disposed in the second chamber. The humidity detecting element varies its electrical circuit constant according to the relative humidity of the mixture. A temperature detecting element is disposed in the second chamber for detecting the temperature in the second chamber and for outputting signals corresponding to the temperature.

Abstract: A flexible tube having first and second ends and a hollow interior is insertable through an endoscopic instrument channel with the first end extending out of the viewing end of the endoscope and the second end extending out of the working end of the endoscope a sufficient distance to lie within the field of view of the endoscope observation port. The second end of the flexible tube defines a tube end face. A flexible electrical conductor having an outer surface sized to fit within the interior of the flexible tube and to define a gap between the conductor outer surface and the interior surface of the tube includes first and second ends. The first end of the conductor extends out of the endoscope viewing end while the second end is located within a recessed chamber extending between the tube end face and a spaced apart location within the interior of the tube to define a high impedance gap between the second end of the conductor and a nearby region including the tube end face and an adjacent tissue.